In a thrilling encounter at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, former champion Andrey Rublev battled his way back to the semi-finals with a gripping victory over Alex de Minaur.
The fifth seed displayed incredible resilience and determination, securing a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(8) win.
Despite facing immense pressure and letting seven match points slip through his fingers, Rublev regained his composure and clinched his first win against a Top 10 player since August of last year. The 27-year-old Russian held his nerve in a tense final-set tie-break, ultimately overcoming his Australian opponent to advance.
Rublev, who won the Doha title in 2020, now prepares to face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals. Auger-Aliassime advanced after Daniil Medvedev was forced to retire from their quarter-final clash due to food poisoning.
Rublev’s performance was marked by his relentless baseline play and his ability to stay focused under pressure. This victory marks Rublev’s fourth semi-final appearance in Doha, solidifying his status as a formidable competitor on the ATP tour.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Qatar ExxonMobil Open continues to deliver high-stakes tennis action.
